Hudaida is the latest battlefront in Yemen war that has killed up to 10,000 people since 2015, including 2,200 children.

Yemeni government forces backed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have bombarded rebel positions outside Hudaida after pausing their push into the strategic Red Sea port city, government sources said on Tuesday.

With the Houthi rebels building up their defences inside Hudaida to repel any advances, more civilians fled the city, AFP reporters said.

According to military sources, both sides were bringing in reinforcements.

Hospital sources and local residents said 11 civilians and 43 rebel fighters were killed on Sunday and Monday as the rebels came under fire south of Hudaida.

Houthis have held the port city since 2014, but government forces backed by UAE troops launched a major assault last month to recapture the city.

So far, it has captured the abandoned airport on the southern outskirts of the city following weeks of attempting to do so.